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PUMA Energy PNG Limited yesterday (10/08/17) saw 43 process operators at its Napanapa Refinery in Port Moresby signing tripartite apprenticeship indenture contracts with the National Apprenticeship and Trade Testing Board (NATTB).
In congratulating the apprentices, Puma Energy country general manager Jim Collins said the event was a special occasion as having 43 apprentices indicated the company’s commitment to developing its people and ensuring a quality and qualified workforce in PNG.
Collins thanked NATTB for working with them on the processes involved in the training scheme.
He added that though still in its infancy, the scheme would never have come to fruition had it not been for NATTB’s guidance.
Collins encouraged the apprentices to persevere through challenges and to be committed to their training and studies as it would be tough for them since the apprenticeship was aimedat only producing the best of the best. And he hoped that all apprentices would make it through to the end.
NATTB representative Arthur Geno thanked the Puma Energy management and requested that both parties continue their dialogue for more skills training.
He also encouraged apprentices to make good use of the opportunity for their betterment as it was an investment from all three parties involved. Among the apprentices was Marie Malaga, the only female participant.
Malaga was grateful to Puma Energy for giving her the opportunity to receive the training and said that this was a huge achievement for her.
Also echoing Malaga’s sentiments was apprentice Jack Simon who said the event was also a highlight in his career. Simon added that he would do his best in the training as it was an opportunity not to be missed.
The contract signing between Puma Energy, NATTB and the apprentices is a four-year contract which actually started in 2015.
The contract ensures that the apprentices will receive global standard training and attain a globally recognised certificate at the end of the programme in 2018.

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By CHARLES MOI
A COURT has issued a restraining order to stop the signing of an agreement between landowners and the Autonomous Bougainville Government regarding the reopening of the Panguna mine.
Justice Ambeng Kandakasi issued the order at the Waigani National Court following an application filed by Philip Miriori, the chairman of the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Incorporated (SMLOLI).
He ordered that the parties to the proposed memorandum of agreement for the redevelopment of the Panguna mine were “forthwith restrained from signing the agreement”.
“If in the event the agreement has already been signed, the parties to that agreement and any person wanting to implement it are forthwith restrained from doing so,” Kandakasi said.
The signing of the agreement would have paved the way for the Bougainville Copper Limited to start work on the mine’s reopening.
The agreement was to have been signed last Friday but was cancelled after women from the area protested.
The court also restrained Lawrence Daveona from acting as the chairman of SMLOLI. The matter will return to court on Friday.
Justice Kandakasi said the order would remain in force unless the parties to the agreement could produce evidence that they had obtained the consent of the more than 500 block holders.

Yamuna said PNG will continue to negotiate for the strongest possible outcome to ensure climate action is implemented.

He said PNG, through CCDA in partnership with key government departments, state agencies and other development partners, will continue to work with all stakeholders to implement PNG’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.

“Climate change is real and already affecting the livelihoods of communities in PNG,” he stated.

“We are still heading for global warming of 3 – 4 Degrees Celsius with disastrous consequences to communities living on the frontlines of climate change as droughts, storms and floods threaten their homes, harvests and livelihoods.”

Yamuna highlighted that all other countries in the world have begun negotiating the rulebook for the implementation of the landmark climate deal.

*** Officers Told to Follow World Bank Guidelines ***

Officers engaged with Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project must comply with World Bank procurement process and guidelines to serve farmers better.

This was the message given to 18 officers employed as project coordinators, extension officers and data entry clerks by project manager Potaisa Hombunaka.

The officers attended a one-day training in Goroka recently.

“There is no short cut in the PPAP modality. We have to comply with the rules of engagement when it comes to procuring goods and services,” Hombunaka said.

The participants work for partnerships who are implementing coffee rehabilitation work in Goroka.

The activities included improving farmers’ coffee gardens, setting up nurseries for coffee seedlings and carrying out improved post-harvest practices in cluster groups.

The training was conducted by Procurement Consultant Theresa Witi. It was the first time the officers in Eastern Highlands to gain an insight into World Bank’s procurement and tender process conducted by Coffee Industry Corporation through its PPAP coffee component.

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Local Communities in the Henganofi district of Eastern Highlands province have been called on to support the rehabilitation of the Highlands Highway in the district.

Police Minister and member for Henganofi Robert Atiafa said local participation is important in carrying out the project which will cost over K81 million.

The signing of the project took place in Port Moresby this morning at Government house, and will see the Highlands Highway section of the Henganofi district to Lampo undergo rehabilitation over the next two years.

The Asian Development Bank and the Government of PNG are partnering in the road rehabilitation project, at a total cost of K81, 691,247.

Works Secretary David Wereh said this is part of the government’s ongoing Highlands Core Road Network efforts in the 10 year Highlands Highway rehabilitation work under ADB and European Union funding.

He said since the inception of the 10 year program in 2007, and under first tranche of the project sealed the Mendi to Kandep road, and the Liagam-Pogera road.

Other projects on various sections of the highlands highway are still being carried out.

Deputy General Manager of China Wuyi Co Ltd, Ding Hong Liang said despite this being their first project in the country, they are ready and will work closely with the locals to deliver it on time.

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PAPUA New Guinea is amongst other Pacific Island countries excluding Fiji and Solomon Islands to have permanent representation in the World Trade Organisation.
This was revealed by the Secretary for Trade Commerce and Industry John Andrias yesterday.

Mr Andrias said however some are still in the process of establishing representation with the WTO.

He said PNG made a conscious decision to join the WTO and be part of the Multilateral Trading System (MTS) because it believes that the system provides security and stability in trade for all its members even more so for the smallest and most vulnerable economies.

“We believe the system was developed with the purpose of promoting prosperity for all its members,” he stated.

Therefore, Mr Andrias said Fiji and Solomon islands have a permanent representation in Geneva to help them so they have a mission.

PNG is represented from its Brussels mission and due to the distance they are not there on a day to day basis to attend to all the negotiations taking place in Geneva.

“We have done some submissions over the last three years, we have NEC endorsement but to date we are still looking at ways to get a mission established in Geneva because Geneva is a strategic location where you have the UN missions like WTO, ILO there so it will not be a mistake to have a permanent representation in Geneva where we will be able to safe guard our interests and also to look at ways to get more benefits and developments.

The rest of us who are members of WTO, rely on Pacific Islands Secretariat through Madam Mere Falemaka to represent us,” he said.

Mr Andrias said there is a small dedicated team in Geneva that monitors all the negotiations on all areas including export or fisheries subsidies issues which were not discussed or on the table over the last 16 years.

“So for us as a country and a region that that is dependent on fisheries, we are to ensure that there are proper rules and policies for us.

“Our interest is to be accommodated so we have to be in there to ensure that our interest in terms of policies and development aspirations are
all captured in the export subsidy rules that will be negotiated and accepted by all members once everyone agrees to it,” he said.

Australian Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, arrived in PNG today as part the ANZAC Day commemorative celebrations and mark the 75th Anniversary of the World War II campaigns in PNG.

The official carrier, The Royal Australian Airforce, touched down at 10:55am at the Jacksons International Airport to the welcome of a PNG Defence Force Guard of Honour and Royal PNG Constabulary Band.

PNG Defence Force Commander, Gilbert Toropo, received Cosgrove before the Guard which the Australian Governor-General inspected as part of the ceremonial welcome and formalities.

At 11:13 am Cosgrove left the airport e route to meet PNG Governor general Bob Dadae.

The Australian Governor-General will attend Anzac Day events which include the Dawn Service at the Bomana War Cemetery tomorrow, the Anzac Day Ceremony at the Isurava Memorial in Oro Province, and a commemorative service at Kokoda Station.

He will also visit Alotau Province to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Milne Bay before leaving PNG.

Picture: Sir Peter Cosgrove inspects a Guard of Honour on arrival at the Jacksons International Airport in